The lands along the southern tier of Western New York were
covered with forests and unbroken wilderness. The only marks that
gave any evidence that civilized man was about was a blazed tree, marking
an indefinite path. Such was the land when a very young Benjamin
Van Campen was delegated in the service of Adam Hoops to survey the lands
at and about what was later known as Olean Point. It was in November
1802. As a result of this survey 20,000 acres of land was purchased
by Messrs. Hoops and Heuston from the Holland Land Company.

In 1804 Robert Hoops, a brother of Adam, came to Olean Point
as an agent for the lands. He built a double log house on the riverbank
where the Forness Athletic Park is now located. It was destroyed
by time and vandalism before anyone realized it could have been preserved
as a historic monument.

At that time the stream on the bank of which the cabin was
located was known by the Indian name Ishua, or Ischue. A letter from
Adam Hoops to Joseph Ellicott, ESQ., at Canandaigua, N.Y. requested the
name be changed to Olean, it being near the oil spring at Cuba, N.Y. where
the Indians had discovered oil.

When the village was first laid out, it was called Hamilton,
after Alexander Hamilton, the popular statesman of that time. The
name was never used by the Post Office Department and was designated Olean
Point. It later was changed to Olean around 1823.

Adam Hoops dream for Olean was to establish a commercial depot
connecting the state of New York with the southwest because of its location
on the Allegany River. It did not materialize but the river was navigable
and transported people on long rafts to Pittsburgh, the first leg of their
journey west.

Major Hoops was unable to complete payments on the mortgage
and the greater part of the tract of land reverted to the ownership of
Ebenezer F. Norton. Consequently, Adam Hoop’s dream did not come
to life as he had hoped.

The settlement of Olean began in 1808 when several men, who
later became prominent citizens, came to Olean to make their home.
According to the Cattaraugus County History of 1879 three of these men
were James g. Johnson of Canandaigua, N.Y., Sylvanus Russell of Angelica,
N.Y., and Bibbin Follet. They brought their families and built homes
for them here. Judge F.S. Martin came form Rutland, Vt. In 1819.
He became active in politics and was appointed post master, judge of the
county as well by Gov. Seward in 1840. Hon. Timothy H. Porter, another
prominent politician, became a judge and later a member of Congress.
James G. Johnson died in 1811 and his son, named after him, became active
in the political life of Olean and was a well known merchant, as well.
He wrote much of the history of the vicinity for the County History.
Judge James Brooks was the father of Cornelius Brooks and the grandfather
of Maude Brooks, the first Olean Historian and librarian at the Olean Public
Library. His home was in Pleasant Valley and still stands.
C.V.B. Barse was the first president of the Exchange National Bank and
was active in many businesses.

The first grocery store was opened in 1811 where the Baptist
Church formerly stood on South Street. The first tavern was kept
by Sylanus Russell and following him in the business was Ebenezer Reed,
Luman Rice, Jacob Downing and Jebiel Boardman. These taverns were
important to the village for people traveling west as they afforded overnight
lodging for people waiting for transportation to the Middle West.

In 1837 the Village of Olean contained 70 dwellings, 5 stores
and 3 public houses. There were several mills, 1 tannery and 1 iron
foundry. The village was incorporated in 1854 and four trustees conducted
the business of the village. By a special act of the legislature
a corporation government was formed and the first meeting was held in May
1858 to elect officers. This government continued until the city
government was formed and a mayor elected. Luther 34, Turner #6,
Barse Town Hall, and later in the Olean City Building. It is now
on display in Lincoln Park.

The village was incorporated on January 6, 1855, population
954 and the first election was on May 19, 1855. Officers were chosen
to run the government. The Post Office was located in the first town
hall with henry Fish as postmaster.

After the first of January 16, 1966, the trustees passed a
resolution that there be no wooden buildings erected on, or removed to
any lot on the west side of union Street between State and Laurens.
The first Town hall was destroyed by fire on April 17, 1884 at 3 o'clock
in the morning. The rope to the fire bell was burning so the alarm
could not be sounded. There have been two city buildings erected,
the present one built in 1959. May changes have taken place as the
city has grown and it would take more time and many pages to bring the
history of Olean up to date.

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interest to add to this site, or if you are interested in becoming a member
of the Painted Hills Genealogy Society, please contact me at: